5 Steps to Maintaining Your WordPress Website

Websites are like cars, they need regular servicing to keep them running optimally and avoid problematic break downs at the most inconvenient moments. Here are the five most important steps you need to perform on a regular basis, to maintain your WordPress site. Read on or download a printable copy here.

Backup, Backup, Backup

Backups are your number one insurance policy, in case of a hack, technical glitch, server meltdown, theft of your laptop, office/house fire or other disaster. A current backup is what’s going to get your site up and running again ASAP! ZP Creative recommend saving three copies of your backup, one to a cloud platform like Dropbox, and one each saved to your computer and external hard drive. We also suggest keeping six months of retrospective backups at a time.

Update it

It is essential to the function and security of your website that both your WordPress core files, plugins and theme are up to date. Old files can make a hacker’s job easy, and won’t give you the benefit of bug fixes and improvements. Ensure your site is backed up immediately before any WordPress or theme update.

Stay Secure

Passwords are not for sharing. If other people need access to your site, they should have their own profile. A user profile can be created easily by going to Users>Add User. It is best to allocate strong passwords to new users using the password generator in their profile. If remembering strong passwords is a problem, use a service such as LastPass or Dashlane to save your passwords securely on your computer.

Engagement is key. If you have chosen to enable comments on your site, ensure you respond in a timely manner and encourage conversation between visitors.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) improves your websites visibility and ranking with search engines such as Google, Yahoo and Bing with the aim of increasing traffic to your site. More traffic means more sales, and who doesn’t want that? At ZPCreative.net/resources/ there is a monthly SEO Maintenance Checklist to help you get the best out of your website.

Sounds like a lot of fussing around and you just don’t have the time? ZP Creative can help.

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